"It is the first time that I have ever been stuck at home for such a long time in my whole life. I am surprised at my endurance and also impressed by the relentless perseverance of Shanghai people."

“这对我来说，是人生中第一次这么长时间宅居家中。一方面佩服自己挺能忍的，同时也感受到了上海市民的坚强的忍耐力。”

For Kawashima Tomoko, Chief Representative of Yokohama Industrial Development Corporation Shanghai Office, this year’s Spring Festival came as a special one. It’s the first time that she has celebrated this festival in China and, as well as the first time that she has spent so much time at home.

对于日本横浜上海经济代表处所长川岛知子来说，今年的“春节”十分特别，这是她第一次在中国过春节，也是第一次这么长时间“宅”在家中……

 

Kawashima Tomoko, Chief Representative of Yokohama Industrial Development Corporation Shanghai Office

日本公益财团法人横浜企业经营支援财团上海代表处（横滨上海经济代表处）所长川岛知子

The city of Yokohama established sistership relationship with Shanghai in 1973 and set up a representative office in Shanghai in 1987. It’s almost a year since I came to Shanghai last year to take this job.

横滨市于1973年与上海市缔结为友好城市，于1987年设立了上海代表处。我是去年来上海赴任的，马上快一年了。 

I had planned to stay in Shanghai during this Spring Festival and take my time to savor the quiet moments of the city. The outbreak of novel coronavirus, however, has led to a special situation.

今年春节休假，本来打算待在上海，慢慢享受这座城市比往常相对闲静的时光。没想到，由于新型冠状病毒肺炎的流行，情况变得特殊了。

At the very beginning, except when I needed to buy fresh food, I had been staying at home and reading books and magazines about Shanghai, and imagining strolling through the streets of the city. From February 3, I started to work at home and report the epidemic situation both in Shanghai and China to Yokohama.” 

刚开始，除了为购买生鲜食材而外出外，我一直都宅在家里，阅读着有关上海的书籍和杂志，脑子里浮想着在上海街头信步的情景。2月3日起，开始了居家工作，每天向横滨市汇报上海以及中国全国的疫情情况。

It is the first time that I have ever been stuck at home for such a long time in my whole life. I am surprised at my endurance and also impressed by the relentless perseverance of Shanghai people.

这对我来说，是人生中第一次这么长时间宅居家中。一方面佩服自己挺能忍的，同时也感受到了上海市民的坚强的忍耐力。

Back in Japan, I once experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake. Not only the disaster itself, but also the cutoff of water, electricity and gas, along with the unstable transportation of supplies and turmoil caused by anxiety had made life even more difficult in the wake of the disaster. This time in Shanghai, I also felt this anxiety at the beginning of the outbreak.

我在日本经历过东日本大地震。不只是灾害本身，随之而来的水电气等生命线的断绝、物资流通的不稳定、因不安而引起的骚动，这些会让灾后生活变得更加困难。这次，在上海，我刚开始也有过这种不安的感觉。

But, so far, water, electricity and gas supplies have been stable. Public transportation and taxis are still in operation. There were times when commodities were in shortage. However, all citizens have stayed calm and there are no signs of stashing food and other goods because of fear. Courier delivery services are still available. From January 24, important government messages and information about this epidemic have been sent to citizens’ mobile phones and protective masks have been supplied. Sometimes I can also receive information and notices in Japanese or English where I stay.

但是，至今，供电供气供水都很稳定，公共交通与出租车也能正常利用。超市里商品短缺的时候虽然也有，市民们却都那么沉着，也没出现囤货抢购的现象。快递服务也能正常使用。从1月24日起，手机随时能收到上海市各部委发布的有关疫情的重要信息，各区也在发放口罩。我所在的地区有时还能收到日语或英语的信息通知。

The small flow of people on the street in the daytime and all the lit-up homes at night, as I observe, indicate that everyone is avoiding outdoor activities as much as possible. I can feel that the government, businesses that provide daily services as well as the citizens are all fighting against this disaster in a quiet yet determined way.

从房间眺望窗外，虽然白天人流很少，但晚上每家每户依然灯火明亮，能体会到大家都在极力避免外出活动。能切身感受到，政府、为日常生活提供服务的企业、市民们都在努力着，上海在默默地坚定地挑战着这场灾厄。

A pleasant thing is that many of my friends that I have made acquaintance with in Shanghai have shown their concern for me and sent their regards, like “is there anything inconvenient for you?”, “If you need anything, I can drive my car to send them to you”. It really touched my heart when I heard words like that, especially when you are faced with a disaster in a foreign country. Shanghai is a city that offers great care to foreigners and a place filled with kind citizens. The city of Yokohama and I myself are willing to do our bit in this fight and make it through this disaster with Shanghai.

很高兴的是，收到了来自在工作中认识的上海朋友们的关心与问候，如“有没有不便的地方？有需要的东西可以开车送过去…”等等。在异国的城市里面临灾害时，大家对我的关怀真是沁人心脾。上海是一座对外籍人士也满怀关爱的城市，这里生活着心地善良的市民… 作为横滨市，还有力量可能微不足道的我自己，希望能尽所能帮助上海共度难关。

Although it will still take some time to end this epidemic, I am convinced that we will conquer any difficulties ahead of us and win this battle with our efforts.

战胜疫情虽然还需要些时间，但我坚信，通过大家的努力一定会克服困难！我们必须肃穆以对，打赢这场战役。加油上海！ 

Kawashima Tomoko,

Chief Representative of Yokohama Industrial Development Corporation Shanghai Office

日本公益财团法人横浜企业经营支援财团上海代表处

川岛 知子

Kawashima Tomoko poses for a group photo with the staff of the Yokohama Industrial Development Corporation Shanghai Office in front of the poster for the 45th anniversary of the sistership relationship between Shanghai and Yokohama

横滨事务所工作人员在上海横滨缔结友好城市45周年海报前合影（左二为川岛知子）

On November 21,2019,  Kawashima Tomoko delivered a speech at the briefing meeting of the Shanghai Political Consultative Conference  

2019年11月21日，川岛在上海市政协2019情况通报会上发言

 

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Story：Kawashima Tomoko

Translation：Lu Yukun